Lt. W.J. Smith said Welborn and Hall ''had a past history, but didn't have a current relationship.'' The two were driving from a visit to see friends when the shooting happened about 3 p.m. Saturday.

Welborn remains in the Clarke County jail without bond. A preliminary hearing date has been set for Oct. 30 in Clarke County Magistrate Court.

Athens-Clarke police said Welborn was retired on a disability pension.

Hall was a 14-year employee of Captain D's Seafood Restaurant, most recently working at the Atlanta Highway location, said a manager who did not give her name.

''We got the news just like her family got the news, and we were shocked,'' the manager said. She said co-workers were familiar with Welborn, but weren't aware of the two dating recently.

Family members of Hall declined to talk to a reporter Monday.

Police initially investigated what appeared to be an accident with injuries on the Athens Perimeter. Before police could get a grasp on the situation, Welborn reportedly walked to an officer with his hands in the air and admitted to shooting Hall, police said.

A witness told police the car entered the perimeter from the North Avenue on-ramp and came skidding to a stop on a grassy area off the inside emergency lane, facing in the wrong direction of the eastbound lane.

This article published in the Athens Banner-Herald on Tuesday, October 2, 2001.